The Stranger Diaries: Teacher Saves the Day!

Dear Diary,

Do you remember the Scholastic Book Fair? It used to be the highlight of my elementary school days. I eagerly awaited its arrival, counting down the days until I could browse through the wide collection of books and escape from class for a little while. Weeks before the fair, I would meticulously create a list of books I desired, carefully selecting the one I wanted most. With the $10-$15 I received, I could afford the book of my choice, and maybe even a pen and a bookmark. The anticipation was overwhelming, and I waited the entire year for this event. Little did I know that during one of these book fairs, I would encounter someone who would leave a lasting impact on me.

At my school, the book fair was organized by grade and class, and when it was finally my turn, I walked down the aisle with a specific book in mind -"The Baby-Sitters Club: Mary Anne Saves the Day." I had already read two books from the series and was eager to read the rest. It took me forever to decide between three books, but I finally settled on the one I would purchase with my hard-earned money.

As I entered the first room, filled with books for infants and toddlers, I couldn't help but wonder why we were even there. What fifth grader would want a baby book? We moved onto the next room, which housed books for five and up, once again not catering to my interests. Disappointed, I enter the third room and spotted it- an aisle dedicated to books by Ann M. Martin, the author of "The Baby-Sitters Club" series. Excitedly, I rushed over and began searching. I found books I had already read and even discovered some I didn't know existed, but not the one I desired. All my preparation and anticipation seemed to be in vain. The other two books on my list were in the previous room, and we couldn't go back. Overwhelmed by sadness, I contemplated leaving empty-handed and joined the children who had already made their purchases.

As I sat there, consumed by disappointment, a deep voice broke through my thoughts, asking, "Sha*****, is everything okay?" I looked up to see a tall man with a pale face and slanted eyes approaching me. "Gorgeous," I thought, but who was he, and how he knew my name? I remained silent, unsure of how to respond.

"Is everything okay? You haven't gotten any book yet," he continued, concerned evident in his voice.

Mumbling that everything was fine, I remained confused about this stranger's identity. "There are mystery books in this aisle if you want to check them out," he suggested, seemingly aware of my favorite genre. How did he know that? Still not knowing what to make of the situation, I turned to look at the aisle he pointed to, then back to him.

"Or, I know you like 'The Baby-Sitters Club.' Did you check out any of them?" he inquired, further deepening my intrigue. Okay, he knows too much. My curiosity urged me to question him about his familiarity with me, but I didn't want to appear foolish. Instead, I subtly brought up my search for the book, expressing my inability to find it.

He offered to help me look, and I followed him back to the same aisle I had previously scoured. As he searched through the books, I mustered the courage to start a conversation. "You said my name right, and on one ever does," I remarked.

"Yes, I remembered," he replied, triggering a memory of an encounter we had in the library earlier this year. He was the teacher who had questioned why I was there so late, and we had conversed for about ten minutes. During that conversation, I had mentioned my love for mysteries and my desire to explore new genres. He was the one who had recommended "The Baby-Sitters Club" series.

Oh, yes, I remember now.

"It seems like we're all out of that book, but we might have it in the library," he informed me. "I really wanted to own it, but it's okay," I responded, despondently making my way back to my seat to wait for everyone else.

However, he halted my retreat. "Well, don't leave empty handed just because that book didn't work out. Sometimes the unexpected can bring you more joy. Let's find another book you can try," he suggested. His words resonated with me, reminding me of our conversation in the library and his previous book recommendation. Perhaps he was right. So, I followed him back to the same aisle, where he pointed out another book series- "The Clique" by Lisi Harrison. "It's similar to 'The Baby-Sitters Club.' It may be slightly above your reading level, but I'm confident you'll enjoy it," he assured me.

Taking his advice, I purchased the first book in "The Clique" series. I devoured every subsequent book and even watched the movie when it was released. Although I rarely saw this teacher afterward, I always made sure to greet him whenever our paths crossed.

I vividly recall the day I learned that I would not be attending that school the following year. I had planned to bid him a farewell and express my gratitude, but life had other plans, and our goodbye never materialized. So, here's what I would have said:

Thank you for your authenticity and your care that extended not only to your students but to all children. I felt invisible, yet you saw me. You pronounced my name correctly when no one else bothered to do so. You remembered my interest when no one else seemed interested. Thank you for embodying the essence of a remarkable teacher; because of this, your words have stay with me. Whenever my expectations are unmet, your voice echoes in my mind, reminding me that sometimes the unexpected can bring more joy. And every time, I find myself happier with the new outcome. Thank you for your unexpected presence in my life.